Description
This Best Lasagna Recipe delivers a hearty, comforting dish featuring layers of rich beef marinara sauce, creamy ricotta cheese mixture, tender lasagna noodles, and gooey melted mozzarella. Perfect for family dinners or special occasions, this classic Italian recipe combines savory flavors and cheesy goodness baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Sauce
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ cup water or broth
Cheese Mixture
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Other
- 12 cooked lasagna noodles
- 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Additional parmesan cheese for topping
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Meat Sauce: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onions and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant and translucent. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, sugar, oregano, basil, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and water or broth. Simmer on low heat for 20–30 minutes, stirring occasionally to develop flavors.
- Mix Cheese Filling: In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, grated parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until well blended. Set aside.
- Cook Lasagna Noodles: Boil a large pot of salted water. Add lasagna noodles and cook until al dente according to package instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain and lay noodles flat to prevent sticking.
- Assemble Lasagna: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a baking dish, spread a thin layer of meat sauce. Layer noodles over the sauce, then spread a portion of the ricotta cheese mixture and sprinkle shredded mozzarella over it. Repeat these layers until the dish is filled, finishing with a layer of meat sauce and mozzarella on top. Sprinkle additional parmesan cheese over the top layer.
- Bake Lasagna: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake uncovered for an additional 15–20 minutes or until the cheese on top is golden and bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the lasagna from the oven and let it rest for 10–15 minutes to set. Garnish with fresh parsley, slice, and serve warm.
Notes
- Precooking the noodles helps prevent a watery lasagna, but using no-boil noodles is an option if preferred.
- Simmering the meat sauce longer enhances flavor depth, feel free to extend simmer time up to 45 minutes.
- Allowing the lasagna to rest after baking improves slicing and serving consistency.
- Fresh parsley adds color and freshness but can be omitted or substituted with basil if desired.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: lasagna, beef lasagna, cheesy lasagna, Italian recipe, baked pasta, comfort food, ricotta cheese, homemade lasagna
